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Creative Director
By Fred Mitchell
Tribune staff reporter
August 31, 2001 8:40 PM CDT
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Walter Payton once said he was more proud of his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame than his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The late Bears running back believed many qualified players from his alma mater, Jackson State, and other historically black colleges were being overlooked. Thanks to players such as Payton, Willie Davis (Grambling) and Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley), the NFL has improved its scouting over the past couple decades.
Organizers of Saturday's 5:30 p.m. game between Howard University and Jackson State?the annual Chicago Football Classic at Soldier Field?recognize Payton's contribution by renaming the event the Walter Payton Classic.
"Walter did as much for Jackson State during those 13 years with the Bears ? and for black college football ? as any athlete," said his brother Eddie Payton, who is the Tigers' golf coach. "He established that, No. 1, we could play and that the quality of competition in our conference is as good as anywhere in the nation. Walter set a standard for all of the athletes from historically black colleges to live up to."
Jackson State is coached by Robert Hughes, who guided the Tigers to the SWAC Eastern Division championship in Birmingham, Ala., last season. Howard University is led by coach Steve Wilson, who recorded a .700 winning percentage in the 1990s.
Howard returns 11 starters on defense, including 6-foot, 230-pound linebacker Tracy White, who was named conference Defensive Player of the Year last season. Linebacker teammates Oby Arah, Damian Walker and Vontrae Long help anchor one of the top defenses in the league.
Jackson State is led by 6-5 quarterback Robert Kent, who threw for over 2,500 yards and 28 touchdowns last season.
Receiver Lawrence Story, who is 6-6, caught 42 passes last season and scored six touchdowns. T.C. Taylor, a converted quarterback, caught 34 passes for 555 yards.
Copyright 2001 The Chicago Tribune
Tribune staff reporter
August 31, 2001 8:40 PM CDT
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
E-mail this story
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Walter Payton once said he was more proud of his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame than his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The late Bears running back believed many qualified players from his alma mater, Jackson State, and other historically black colleges were being overlooked. Thanks to players such as Payton, Willie Davis (Grambling) and Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley), the NFL has improved its scouting over the past couple decades.
Organizers of Saturday's 5:30 p.m. game between Howard University and Jackson State?the annual Chicago Football Classic at Soldier Field?recognize Payton's contribution by renaming the event the Walter Payton Classic.
"Walter did as much for Jackson State during those 13 years with the Bears ? and for black college football ? as any athlete," said his brother Eddie Payton, who is the Tigers' golf coach. "He established that, No. 1, we could play and that the quality of competition in our conference is as good as anywhere in the nation. Walter set a standard for all of the athletes from historically black colleges to live up to."
Jackson State is coached by Robert Hughes, who guided the Tigers to the SWAC Eastern Division championship in Birmingham, Ala., last season. Howard University is led by coach Steve Wilson, who recorded a .700 winning percentage in the 1990s.
Howard returns 11 starters on defense, including 6-foot, 230-pound linebacker Tracy White, who was named conference Defensive Player of the Year last season. Linebacker teammates Oby Arah, Damian Walker and Vontrae Long help anchor one of the top defenses in the league.
Jackson State is led by 6-5 quarterback Robert Kent, who threw for over 2,500 yards and 28 touchdowns last season.
Receiver Lawrence Story, who is 6-6, caught 42 passes last season and scored six touchdowns. T.C. Taylor, a converted quarterback, caught 34 passes for 555 yards.
Copyright 2001 The Chicago Tribune
